Listed Mornington Cup, Mornington
Race Summary:
A one week turn-around was no problem for Self Sense (Street Sense {USA}), who earned a spot in the Caulfield Cup with Saturday’s victory.
The gelding galloped happily in midpack two wide in the 2400 metre race behind a sensible pace set by Trap For Fools (Poet’s Voice {GB}). The field tightened up as they approached the stretch with Self Sense drawing even with the leader as the field straightened up then taking up the lead.
In the closing stages of the race, multiple horses made a run at him with Tarquin (Hard Spun {USA}) just missing at the line. Trap For Fools still had enough left after setting the pace to finish third to give former Darley shuttle stallions a 1-2-3 finish.
Pedigree Notes:
The eight-year-old gelding is by Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense (Street Cry {IRE}), who shuttled to Australia from 2018 to 2012.
Self Sense is the second stakes winner from the winning mare Be My Person (Personal Flag {USA}), who has six winners from eight to race including Group 3 winner Shylight (Lago Delight).
Be My Person’s granddam is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Dalmacia (Sir Tristram) with a further nine Group 1 winners under her fourth dam including Australian Horse of the Year winners Lonhro (Octagonal) and Lankan Rupee (Redoute’s Choice).
Be My Person’s final foal is a 3-year-old gelding named Publican’s Choice (Reset), who has placed this season.
Listed Hareeba S., Mornington
Race Summary:
In his 30th start and after many stakes placing, Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) finally joined the stakes winners club on Saturday.
Streets Of Avalon was right behind the leading Milwaukee (Fastnet Rock) most of the race before joining him as they turned into the straight. It took half the straight for Streets of Avalon to take the lead but when he did, he easily pulled away.
Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) narrowed the gap with a late run but the winner was in no danger with Snitzkraft (Snitzel) finishing third.
Pedigree Notes:
Streets Of Avalon is the third foal from Kamuniak (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}) and one of two winners from her.
Kamuniak is a full-sister to New Zealand Champion 2-Year-Old Jokers Wild and from the family of Group 1 winners Reward For Effort (Exceed And Excel), Overreach (Exceed And Excel), Ivory’s Irish (Best Western), Turffontein (Johannesburg {USA}), and Able Friend (Shamardal {USA}) among over 50 stakes winners under her first three dams.
The mare foaled a full sister to the gelding in 2017 and had a Starspangledbanner (Choisir) filly in 2018.
Group 2 Japan - New Zealand International Trophy, Tauranga
Race Summary:
Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) returned to her winning ways in style at Tauranga.
While a large group of horses battled for the lead early on, the mare was content to take her place near the rear of the field with only a few horses beaten until the final 500 metres. Volpe Veloce looked like she had her work cut out for her at the 250 metre mark but that was quickly erased as she showed a big kick to go by the leading Endless Drama (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and take the lead.
The mare didn’t win by a large margin with Watch This Space (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}) bursting through at the end to take second by a slim margin with True Enough (NZ) (Nom du Jeu {NZ}) grabbing third from Endless Drama.
Pedigree Notes:
Offered as a weanling when she sold for $120,000 at Magic Millions then again at Karaka as a yearling when she brought NZ $240,000, the mare is the second stakes winner for Group 3 Bardego (Barathea {Ire}). Volpe Veloce is a half-sister to Listed winner Delago Bolt (Delago Brom) among three other winners.
Bardego is the only stakes winner for her dam and comes from the family of Listed winners Whittington (Tale of the Cat {USA}), Thai Jewel (Lunchtime), Ta Ta Tatiana (Carry the Crown) and Maha Chakri (Beautiful Crown).
Bardego has an unnraced 2-year-old filly named Silk Jacket (Helmet) in training with Matt Cumani and a filly foal by Holler (Commands).
Group 3 Breeders' S., Riccarton
Race Summary:
It was a first Group victory for Residential (NZ) (Pins) in New Zealand on Saturday.
Residential took control of the race as soon as the dust settled from the break, a few lengths ahead of an eager Feelin The Love (NZ) (Savabeel) running second. Residential was swamped by the field as they turned into the straight and looked as if she may lose the lead for a few strides but that was quickly put to rest as she again pulled away as they straightened out.
Zabay (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) and Contessa Vanessa (NZ) (Bullbars) tried to chase the leader down late but weren’t able to reach her with Zabay winning the photo for second over Contessa Vanessa.
Pedigree Notes:
The Pins (Snippets) filly went through the ring at Karaka as part of the Waikato Stud draft in 2015 but was passed in. From Listed winner Metropolitan (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}), she is a half-sister to Listed winning Colonel Custer (Savabeel) and one other winner.
Metropolitan is a half-sister to one other Listed winner and hails from a granddaughter of Group 1 winner Ajasco (Pakistan II). This is also the family of a top South African filly with three South African champion mares found under her third dam.
Metropolitan has four winners from six to race with her youngest being the 2-year-old Holy Dancer (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), who is placed in one start for Phillip Stokes in Australia. The mare has missed the past two years but was bred back to Sacred Falls (O’Reilly {NZ}) in 2018.
